Post #236274 by ikitnrev on Tue, Jun 6, 2006 10:29 AM

A very similar word is 'Similac' the brand name for the infant milk formula which is often used instead of breast milk. The word 'Similac' is a shortened version of 'Similar to Lactation.'

With that thought in mind, Similau is perhaps meant to mean 'shortened for a luau.'

Here is my theory, totally speculative, and other than the dates, not based on fact. In 1948, Jack Owens writes the Hukilau song, which becomes a big hit. Composer Arden Clar and his wife hear the song, and become enraptured by the romantic visions of the luau and the South Seas Islands.

9 months later (it is now 1949), there is a new child in their household. Late one night, while half asleep while feeding his newborn infant, Arden Clar imagines the sweet sounds and visions of that romantic evening from the previous year, and how it has resulted in the beautiful child in his arms. Still drowsy, he composes and writes down the melody of a song to capture the memory - both of the romantic night, but also his hopes and dreams for his new child.

The next morning, he sees his notes, remembers the melody, and looking for a title of the song, his eyes fall upon the empty, nearby can of Similac. He combines the words 'Hukilau' and 'Similac', and thus Similau is born.

Actually, the subtitle to Similau is 'See-me-lo', so Tikigap is probably closer to the truth with his theory.

Vern